Ever the helpful tech blog, we’ve put together a list of absurd abstract patents, and a couple of applications, that the courts can kill first. So let’s have at it.

Google’s doodles!
US Patent 7,912,915, entitled “Systems and methods for enticing users to access a web site” protects Google’s inalienable right to provide “a periodically changing story line and/or a special event company logo to entice users to access a web page.” [Source: TechSpot]

Microsoft’s operating system shutdown!
US Patent 7,788,474 gives Microsoft protection over its “idea” to facilitate “shutting down an operating system.” [Source: Conceivably Tech]

ComScore’s claims on the right to verify ad viewing!
In August, ComScore took out a lawsuit against AdSafe, Double Verify, and Moat, claiming that it holds patents that protect its right to verify whether or not a digital ad has been seen. [Source: PandoDaily]

Apple’s email clickables!
US Patent 5,946,647 says only Apple can let you click on things like phone numbers and Web links that weren’t already linked and have been sent to you in an email. Apple has sued HTC on that very issue. [Source: Engadget]

Twitter’s pull-to-refresh!
US Patent application 20,100,199,180 would prevent anyone other than Twitter from being allowed to use the “pull to refresh” mechanism to update content via touchscreens. [Source: Dustin Curtis]

Apple’s scrolling on a touchscreen!
US Patent 7,456,850 gives Apple privileged domain over the action of dragging your finger down to scroll on a touchscreen device. Or, as Apple’s patent abstract helpfully puts it: “[T]he present invention allows a user to select one or more items in the first window, move the selected item(s) to within a predetermined distance from an edge of the first window for a predetermined period of time and cause the viewable portion of the data and/or document within the first window to scroll in a corresponding direction.” Oh yeah, that's how I was going to say it. [Source: Conceivably Tech]

Apple’s switching apps while in a phone call!
US Patent application 20,080,168,379. I mean, seriously, can anyone explain why Apple’s name wasn’t on the amicus brief filed to the Court of Appeals? [Source: GSM Arena]

Apple’s swipe-to-unlock!
Apple has three patents the claim the right to the “swipe to unlock” mechanism for touchscreen devices. US Patents 7,657,849, 8,046,721, 8,268,103. [Source: The Verge]

Google’s face-to-unlock!
Just in case you forgot that Google is totally guilty of coming up with ridiculous patents, too, we’ll point out here that it owns the rights to using facial recognition to unlock a smart device. US Patent 8,261,090. [Source: Cnet]

Patent troll i2z’s multiple window data display!
Earlier this year, i2z tried to claim that Hipmunk has to pay it to license a patent that describes a method to display data in multiple computer windows. Hipmunk struck back by preemptively filing a lawsuit to defend its technology. [Source: GigaOm]

Helferich Patent Licensing’s text-message links!
Chicago-based Helferich Patent Licensing owns US Patent 7,499,716, which describes the delivery and redemption of notifications to devices. Nearly 100 companies, including Apple and Disney, have paid HPL $750,000 for the license fee. The New York Times is now leading a legal battle against HPL. [Source: Paid Content]